SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13927, 12 June 1907, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

ARRIVAL AT PERTH. AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW THE TWO CONFERENCES. Press Association—Bj Telftjnph—Copyright. PBEMAXTLE, June 11. The Mooltaii lias arrived. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward lire passengers. (Received June 11, at 9.22 p.m.) Sir Joseph Ward ami party are all well, The Acting Premier and the Aidc-de-Canip of the Governor boankd the Mooltan, and extended a welcome. The party will bo the guests of the Governor during their stay. PERTH, June 11. . (Received June 12, at 1.3 a.m.) Sir Joseph Ward was interviewed this morning on his return from London. Being asked for his opinion on the general results of butli th« Imperial Conference and the Maritime Conterenee, lie stated that in liis opinion both conferences li:id justified the calling together of representatives of the self-governing colonies. In respect to the Maritime Conference, the results affected t lie Commonwealt.il more than New Zealand, for the reason that his country already had a Shipping and Seamen Act upon the Statute Book that provided for nearly all the matters that were dealt with by the conference. Some points, however, of general application were dealt with which were of material interest, to New Zealand. The protection of local ship-owners as well as officers and fieamsn from unfair competition from abroad, together with ...e assimulation of various rules of practice, where it was possible to give effect to them, wore most vahmbls. Ho intended to ask the Parliament of New Zealand to legislate in accordance with the resoliitions carried at tho conference in places where legislation was necessary. It would, in his opinion, have been a good thing had the Maritime Conference met 10 years ago, for then representative men in England and the colonies might have devised common grounds of action, ami so prevented many difficulties that had subsequently ilrieon. One great good resulting from the conference followed from the

fact Hint the shipping interests of the United Kingdom and the colonies were brought face to face raur.d a common table where personal dismission and frank interchange of opinion did much to clear away and remove misunderstandings that inevitably existed where everything was left to correspondence and despatches. The success of the conference was in no small measure due to the tact and ability displayed by Mr TJoyd-Geoi-ge. Where so many conflicting interests were concerned

the risk of friction was groat, and that this did not occur was due, not only to the reasonable attitude, of the. delegate, but equally to the courtesy and judgment of the president. While naturully antl properly alive to ]ij s enormous responsibilities as official head of the world-wide shipping trade of the United Kingdom, he showed an evident- desire to meet- the views of the Commonwealth and- New Zealand wherever he possibly could. In reference, to the Imperial Conference, Sir Joseph Ward said the difficulties presenting themselves were in some reepetts very great indeed. It was the first realbusiness conference of representative men from the oversea dominions that had taken place in England. The former conferences had done good work, but that work was entirely of a- preliminary character. The practical issues were first dealt with at this conference. He would have greatly liked to have ee™ preferential trade agreed to fiy the British representatives. However, ho could' not shut' his eyes to the position of tlio British Government, which was returned with a record majoiity pledged, among other things, to the continuance of Freetrade. In common with other members of the conference, .Sir Joseph Ward eaid he pressed the pointthat preference was quite distinct from Freetrade, and could bo given effect to without violating the principles of tkt doctrine. The British Oovernmont, however, was not prepared to accept this view; hence the most that could Tw said was that a good, den! was done : n the way of educating public opinion upon that point. The most important- step was taken in the- establishment of the- conference as a permanent institution with the Prime Minister of Orcat Britain as its standing president. The actual constitution of the conference, its (mictions, and machinery for doing its work were left, to be settled at a. future iinding, and this, in his opinion, was a very wise step. In the meantime the machinery would be worked by the Colonial Ofliee/ The discission that took place in connection with the military and naval defences of the Kmpire, particularly in relation to the- colonics, was of the greatestimportance. In respect to naval defence, the views of the Commonwealth differed from those of New Zealand, and he (Sir Joseph) Ward) naturally expressed no opinion as to the couim pursued by the Commonwealth, as it was a matter entirely for them to decide upon. New Zealand preferred to continue the existing system under which lbs whole naval defence, was conducted and controlled by the Admiralty, New Zealand contributing upon a money basis, lie had explained at the conference that they had yet many yearn' development of their country to 'provide for, ami the obligations uns entailed were

as much as the colony was justified in undertaking. He hoped, however, that the course the Commonwealth proposed to tab would turn out to Iμ one of great success to (hem.

Sir Joseph Ward further expressed satisfaction tbiit his suggestions in favour of the cheapening of postal and cable rates and quickening mail communication, together with the establishment of comnieree delegates representing the liritish Uuvornnient in the British colonies, wove approved, not only by the representatives in the conference, but also by the British Government, and \\s hoped that practical results would follow.

Sir Joseph Wind, in reply to an inquiry us to the attitude of the British Government at the conference, expressed himself in high terms as regards the courtesy and consideration extended to all the'dolegates by Lord Elgin, who most capably presided.

Asked as to his impressions of London, he said that the hospitality and kindness that he and his party received from all sections of the British people from the day they arrived would never bo forgotten by them. Pressure of work daily, outside th'o conference itself, had given him an exceedingly busy time; but he was returning to New Zealand with delightful remem" br.ince.s of his visit. These were enhanced by tho fact that a givnt link in the chain of Imperial brotherhood had been strength«ni'(l throughout the memorable conference of 1907.